Did you binge-watch the Olympics this summer in amazement? Did you tell yourself you wouldn’t, in solidarity with the millions of people worldwide who can’t get a vaccine, and the majority of dissenting Japanese citizens? Whether you boycotted on principle or watched with zeal, these Olympics have gone on like none other. The world’s greatest Olympic athletes have taken matters into their own chalked hands, shotputting hearts and fleet feet, and have re-educated the world about the leading edge of sports.
Ground has been cleared for these athletes by Dave Zirin, well-known political sportswriter, author of 11 books on sports history and politics, the “Edge of Sports” blog, and sports editor of The Nation magazine. Dave, friend to ESFL, has chronicled hundreds of athletes who have seized their moments in the sun to demand we see them as agents of change. His books have analysed the impact of boxer Muhammad Ali, Olympics ’68 track and field medalists Tommy Smith and John Carlos, among other transformational athletes. His new book—The Kaepernick Effect—compiles first-person accounts of how Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protests have spurred athletes in many fields to use their own moments in the sun as means of resistance and re-education.
The 2021 Olympics have been full of resistance and re-education! Despite the enduring question of whether or not the Tokyo Olympics should even have happened, there have been awesome moves by the athletes, teaching us about sports as work, athletes as persons, and viewership as the manufacture of sometimes dubious consent. Here are a few highlights—and get set, I feel exclamation points coming on…!:
o Simone Biles! Her dignity and courage in not participating, citing mental health concerns. Through her, we’ve learned about “twisties,” terrifying breaks in concentration that can send a spiraling gymnast’s focus elsewhere, mid-flight, potentially causing great harm. Biles is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)—especially with these feats of truth and self-preservation!
o Biles’s US Women’s Gymnastics teammate, Sunisa Lee, wins all-around Gold! Through Suni’s series of great routines—and journalists’ scrambles to cover her story accurately—millions of viewers now know more about Hmong people’s history. Suni’s family and spokespersons have described what it means for working-class immigrant parents to support their child’s wildest dreams. Who will forget the shouts and tears of joy at the Oakdale event center, Suni’s family and friends watching her take all-around gold?!
Hypebae, Simone B and Suni L
o German Women’s Gymnastics! They said nein! to overly-revealing costumes and instead wore work clothes designed to support their movements on floor, beam, horse and more! They’ve reminded the world that women gymnasts are indeed women, they’re adult athletes, not girl-dolls in sparkly thongsies. Let’s hope this sartorial protest creates waves of uniform change for women and girls in gymnastics!
Vogue image, German gymnastics uniform
o U.S. silver shotput medalist Raven Saunders, who crossed her forearms over her head in an “X” shape, potentially in solidarity with all oppressed people the world over!! I say “potentially” because the IOC was about to launch an investigation into whether this gesture was “political,” and they might have stripped Saunders of her medal; tragically, Saunders’ mother died the following day, and the IOC suspended its punitive inquiry. Condolences, and admiration, for Raven Saunders.
A.P. photo of Raven Saunders
o UK diving gold medalist Tom Daley! He attended many Olympic events, and brought his knitting! ‘Way to keep your hands busy, and reject outdated ideas about who knits and crochets, who makes clothes!
o Belarus sprinter Kristina Timanovskaya! After her events she and her husband evaded Belarus authorities and fled to Poland, where they have been offered asylum. She is refusing to give cover to the Lukashenko dictatorship by going home. Like so many of the athletes at the Tokyo Olympics, Kristina is asserting her right to live safely and freely as more important than representing a so-called nation.
I’m sure you’re wishing there are other great 2021 Olympics resistance triumphs listed here! Hold onto your favorites, and join ESFL in the ongoing and urgent swirl of these very topics, when we host Dave Zirin in late September! Yes, on Sunday, September 26, from 4-6 p.m. CST, Dave and former Division I athlete and current Sociology graduate student, Mi’Chael Wright, who made history when she took a knee, will be talking about “Sports, Activism and Equity.” Here is the link to learn more about this event! The Kaepernick Effect will have hit the shelves of your favorite independent bookstore just 2 days earlier! Be among the first fans to listen to Dave and Mi’Chael dish about sports activism. Bring your questions and stories about activism, sports and more!
Beth Cleary
Co-Executive Director